I purchased a new 3D printer today. It’s a Bambu A1 with an AMS on it, so, unlike the previous printer, I can now print in up to 4 colors at once.
I wanted a Snapmaker U1 because it has the multiple heads to reduce the waste, but I don’t really have a business and my printing (for now) is all hobby things, so I chose a printer with an AMS instead. Originally, I was going to buy a P1S, but the A1 is really basically the same without the enclosure, so here we are. Plus, the price difference was significant enough that I could justify getting the AMS lite with it and still come out ahead.
The setup was surprisingly straightforward – took maybe 30 minutes from unboxing to my first print. The auto-calibration is honestly kind of magical compared to what I dealt with on the Ender 3. No more manual bed leveling every other print, which is a huge relief.
Of course, the first thing I printed was my DragonTeach dragon. I built out the design for this from my stickers, and I’ve had it for a while. Printed a few on the Ender 3 in a single color, but with the new printer, it’s beautiful color. The multi-color capability really makes the design pop in ways that a single-color print just can’t match. I’m already thinking about all the other designs I can bring to life now.
I’ve been building a bit of a proof of concept for a quick designer for 3D printing – a way to generate quick models without the hassle of getting into a 3D program (i.e., Blender). The idea is to make 3D design accessible to people who just want to create simple prints without the steep learning curve. Will likely release it to a few people soon for testing and feedback.
Now I just need to resist the urge to print everything I see on Printables and MakerWorld. The “new printer energy” is real, and my filament stash is calling to me.